The conventional method of feeding broilers, using high density diets has been found to be associated with increases in fatness and a number of metabolic disorders. The adverse effect of high density diets on the performance of broilers was found to be more pronounced under a tropical environment. Allowing broilers free access to feed using low density diets (quantitative nutrition) has been suggested as a strategy to improve the performance of the broilers within the prevailing environmental conditions in the tropics. A specific approach had been evaluated as suitable for reducing the available metabolisable energy (AME) intakes of the broiler and increasing feed intake. This involves diet dilution with high fibre feedstuffs to reduce the available metabolisable energy (AME) value of the diet.
SUMMARYThis study was set to evaluate the effect of raw and boiled (100 0 C) Garcinia kola seed diet on growth performance and haematological response of broiler chicks. A total 18 broiler chicks assigned into three treatment groups of six birds each were used for this study. Treatment one (control) received 0% inclusion of Garcinia kola seed. Treatment group two received 10% boiled Garcinia kola seed, while group three received 10% raw Garcinia kola seed in addition to basal feed (Vital starter and finisher rations).The growth performance indices of feed consumption, live body mass were taken on weekly basis whereas uncoagulated blood samples were collected 24 hours after administering the last treatment to the groups. The haematological indices of erythrocytic function were determined. The result obtained showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in live body mass of broiler chicks treated with raw Garcinia kola seed diet. The haematological indices of erythrocytic function and live body mass were however not significantly (P>0.05) affected by heat treatment at 100 0 C. This finding lends credence to the popular report in literature that heat treatment above 80 0 C is one of the methods of removing or deactivating anti nutritional factors present in plant food for animal nutrition.
Sixty (60) day- old broiler chicks were used to investigate the effects of graded levels of folic acid supplementation on the performance of broiler chickens. The study was carried out using complete randomized design. Commercial starter and finisher diets were used for the experiment which lasted for eight weeks. The folic acid supplement was administered in drinking water within the first seven (7) days of life of the broiler chickens at the following levels: O, 15, 30 and 45mg per litre of drinking water, corresponding to treatments T1 (control), T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Feed and water were provided ad libitum.The lowest (15mg) and highest (45mg) levels of folic acid supplementation did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from the control in most of the parameters measured (final body weight, average growth rate, and feed conversion ratio). The T3 group (30mg of folic acid supplement|) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than other levels including the control in the above mentioned parameters. This level (30mg of folic acid supplementation pre Littre of drinking water provided a safety margin of 1.45mg of supplemental folic acid per bird per day.Keywords: Folic acid, supplementation, tolerable intake level, performance
The growth and survival rate of finisher broilers (with minor feed supplementation) were determined under subsistence free-range poultry production in Nigeria. Three types of feed supplements (maize meal, full-fat soybean meal, and commercial grower ration) were used. A 4th group (the control) was fed intensively on commercial broiler finisher ration. After four weeks of brooding, the finisher broilers of equal weights were randomly selected and distributed to twelve households in each of the two selected locations (10 birds per household) for onward rearing on free-range for eight weeks. The control group was replicated four times (10 birds per replicate). Growth rate was significantly higher (P<0.05) for the control intensive group and least for the free-range maize meal supplement group. The survival rate was 80-100%, with the maize meal supplement group on the lowest range while the free-range commercial grower supplement was 100%. Cost/kg live weight was least for the group on free-range commercial grower supplement and highest for the group on free-range maize meal supplement. This research has demonstrated the worth of providing finisher broiler chicks to farmers, rather than the day-old chicks traditionally purchased. This increases the survival rate of free-range chickens substantially and provides for vaccination programmes that may be too costly for farmers who only buy a small number of birds.
A ten-week trial was conducted to examine the effect of feeding four wild forages (Daniella oliveri, Sarcopcephalus latifolia, Vitex doniana and Ficus thoningii) on the performance characteristics of rabbits; the four forages constituted treatments 1 – 4, respectively. Twenty four unsexed rabbits of mixed breeds aged, between four and five weeks with average weight of 514g were used for the study. The animals were randomly allotted to the four treatments, each with three replicates of two rabbits per replicates. The parameters measured were, feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass parts and organs weights. The results o the proximate composition especially crude protein (CP) and crude fibre (CF) were within the ranges of 15-30% CP and 20-45% CF respectively as recommended for optimum performance of rabbits. The results of the performance generally showed positive growth response as all the forages had potentials for supporting rabbit growth. The live weight gain and feed intake of experimental rabbits were significantly different (P<0.05). However, feed conversion ratio was not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the treatments. No health hazards of any nature were encountered throughout the experiment which may imply that these forages apart from supporting growth may also be medicinal. From the results, the best of the forages, viewed from the performance perspective, appears to be Ficus thoningi, which suggests that it may have supplied adequate nutrients that may be lacking in grassland pastures in the dry season, it is therefore recommended for feeding of growing rabbits.
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